How To Lose A Referendum

Two local political experts have written a book on Brexit

Chiswick residents Jason Farrell and Paul Goldsmith have launched their first book, How To Lose a Referendum – which they say is the definitive story of why the UK voted for Brexit.

The pair originally met in the playground of Belmont Primary School in Chiswick, where their children went to school. After the EU referendum last year, Sky News Senior Political Correspondent Jason Farrell and Latymer Upper School Politics teacher & political blogger Paul Goldsmith found themselves having a debate whilst driving their daughters to Peppa Pig World! You can see Paul discuss it with Adam Boulton of Sky news.

Paul felt that there would have been a Leave vote whenever the referendum had been held, but Jason argued the campaign was much more significant. They agreed to write a book together, and on the first anniversary of this history-defining vote, on 23rd June 2107 ‘How to Lose a Referendum – the Definitive Story of Why the UK voted for Brexit’ was published by Biteback Publishing.

Jason Farrell

The book describes how the circumstances of the referendum were particularly unique. They discuss whether the referendum was lost the moment David Cameron called it, or whether a stronger campaign might have been enough to change the face of history.

The book is the product of extensive and frank interviews with the key players from both campaigns, coupled with a wide-ranging exploration of the historical context around Britain’s departure.

Sky News’ Adam Boulton says: “This compelling and thoughtful book tells us how and, more importantly, why Brexit happened. The drama is all there and so is the historic context of Britain’s troubles with Europe. A must-read.”

Book Launch and Signing at Belmont Primary School – 11 July
Farrell and Goldsmith will be talking about their book and answering questions on it at a special fundraising event at Belmont Primary School on Tuesday 11th July at 7:30pm. The event costs £5 (proceeds to Belmont) and the authors will be available to sell and sign books there (£15).

tickets from the Belmont school office (1 Belmont Road) or by emailing messages@belmont.hounslow.sch.uk FAO Rebecca Richards.

July 3, 2017